The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-09-15
The Ignorant Contractor.

Colonel McCracken, U. S. A, was
the chief plartermaster, stationed at
San Antonio, Tex. He had advertised
for bids to supply the post with corn,
and the contract was to be awarded
on Il certain day Colonel McCracken
was believed to be an honorable and
conscientious officer, who would not
take bribe under any circumstances.
Tom Rowen, of the firm of Rowell q
Smith, was a sharp, shrewd business
man, who was very anxious to get the
contract to supply the post OF San An
tonic with corn, but he did not think
it was quite safe to offer the quarter
master a bribe, as he had done on pre-
vious occasions with other quartermas-
tiers. After thinking over the master
for some time he adopted the follow
ing plan to carry out his purpose:
He called at Quartcrmaster Nc
Cracken's office, and asked that officer
in an insinuating manner to see that
he got fair play when the bids were
opened. Col. McCracken replied in
very dignified manner.
The contract, sir, will be awarded
to the lowest and best bidder"
Tom Rowell took up his hat and
bowed himself out. In doing so he
dropped on the floor an envelope con-
tanning five one thousand dollar bills,
| the name of the firm of -Rowen q
Smith being on the envelope.
Rowell Immediately went to the
office of the chief of police, and in
| formed him that he had lost an adj
dressed envelope containing five one
thousand dollar bills.
/ arnnaH in fhiS
| IF Colonel McCracken keeps the
money, I'll get the contract, and l can
we'll afford to let him keep the $5, 600.
If he, on the other hand, thinks | am
| trying to bribe him and gets mad
about it, 1 viii simply say dropped
| the envelope on the floor accidentally,
| and had no intention of bribing him,
and that l didn't know where had
lost the money"
Rowell had scarcely returned to- his
office from notifying the police of his
/ loss, when in rushed Colonel Nc
Cracken, his face flushed, very much
excited and holding the envelope in
his hand.
what do you mean, sir' he ex.
claimed, "by trying to bribe United
States officer? This is an insult, sir,
and he slammed the envelope down on
| the table.
Rowell made out that he was very
angry at the insinuation. He pounded
on the desk with his fist and roared
outI
| ..And what do you mean, sir, by
charging me with attempting to bribt
lanybodyP I merely asked YOU to set
that my bid was properly considered
dropped that envelope without know
ing it, and have been hunting all Owe
town for it. want you to understand
sir. that / am gentleman, even if
am only civilian"
..Now. that's just little thin" re
torted Colonel McCracken.
..Wel1, sir, I'll prove to you that yo'
are mistaken, and then | shall expec
an apology" replied Rowell. And go
. i ing TO the telephone he requested La
chief of police to come Immediately t.
the Office of Rowell & Smith. Tha
, official was there in a few minutes AM
fully confirmed RowelPs statemen
that he had notified the police pf tn
loss of the money as soon as he hal
missed it,
Col. McCrackep was oyerwhelme
with modification at having unjustl,,
accused an innocent man of havin
. attempted to bribe him. He was pre-
fuse in his apologies, which Rowell a
length accepted,
The bids were opened next day, an
: it was found that RowelPs bid wa
b. not the lowest. but Colonel Nc Cracke
feeling that he owed Rowell some rel
aration, decided that the bondsmen 1
. the lower bidder were not good, an
] gave the contract to Rowell, VIII
cleared upwards of $25, 900 out of il
without having to spend cent
lubrieate anybody.-Ale1 St0ee! "a Ns'
$ YORK. MercarA